Blanche Marie David, age 89 of Montgomery, passed away on December 14, 2014. The Celebration of Life Service is Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 2:00 PM with visitation from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montgomery. Pastor Bob Kaul will preside. Blanche will be laid to rest with her husband at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery.
It was a hot summer day in Kilkenny, MN on July 24, 1925 when Charles and Florence (Lyons) Barta celebrated the birth of their only daughter, Blanche Marie Barta. As a child Blanche enjoyed growing up on the family dairy farm and helping care for her four brothers. Blanche attended the local school through the 8 th grade and then stayed home to help with farm chores. Blanche did much of the cooking, cleaning and helped her mother around the house.
One day Blanche met a handsome young man from the farming community, George Ernest David. George turned out to be the love of Blanche’s life. The two began dating and their love grew. They’d attend dances together and spent time with mutual friends. George and Blanche exchanged wedding vows on April 23, 1945 in Rice County.
Soon after their marriage, they moved to Faribault and began a family. They were blessed with five beautiful children, Linda, Mary, Jeanne and Bob. Infant daughter, Barbara died at birth. After George lost his job, their family moved back to the Kilkenny area where George began farming with his father. Blanche enjoyed being close to family and relished the time she spent at home raising her family. Eventually the family made another move to Horseshoe Lake. Blanche loved being near the water where she was able to fish as much as possible. She loved to fish with George and her family. She’d catch crappies, sunfish and bullheads. Once she caught a huge sunfish the size of a dinner plate. Blanche would even ice fish in the winter, and she spent time away on family fishing trips. They moved to Montgomery when George retired from farming.
Once all of the kids were in school, Blanche began working outside the home. Throughout the years she did factory and custodial work in factories including Birds Eye and Green Giant. When she wasn’t working, Blanche enjoyed playing cards, being part of the Women’s Society at church and spending time with neighborhood friends.
In 1991 Blanche’s world was turned upside down when her beloved George passed away. This was a very hard time for Blanche, but her strength and support from family got her through it. She began spending more time in her vegetable and flower gardens. Blanche gave extra special care to her beautiful roses. She also enjoyed sewing.
About ten years ago, Blanche moved to Country Neighbors Assisted Living in Le Center. She made new friends there and enjoyed making crafts and playing BINGO. Her children, grandchildren and entire family would visit her there. She loved being with her family as they were most important in her life. She especially liked playing cards with her grandkids.
In October 2014 Blanche moved into Mala Strana Nursing Home in New Prague where she received wonderful care until she passed away. Blanche died the evening of Sunday, December 14, 2014. She was a wonderful woman with a kind heart.
Blanche will be deeply missed and remembered always by her children, Mary (Carl) Villwock, Jeanne (Tony Hagen) Marnoff, Bob David; 15 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Clifford Barta, Raymond Barta; other loving relatives and friends. Blanche is preceded in death by her husband, George David; daughters, Barbara David and Linda Chambers.
Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Jordan, MN 952-492-2818
